Proof of Life: Fourteen Years of Pour Decisions

Welcome to another edition of Proof of Life—brought to you this week by bourbon, honey, lemon, and whatever miracle is hiding in a hot toddy. I’ve been a bit under the weather, but I still managed to pull this one together with more punch than your Aunt Edna’s Wisconsin Old Fashioned (you know the one—with muddled sadness and a splash of regret).

This week, we’re raising a glass to 14 years of Bourbon & Banter, catching up on the barrel market rollercoaster, and rolling out a new commentary feature I’m calling 🥃📋 SIP REP: The Chief Drinking Officer’s unfiltered take on whatever just hit the inbox, the rickhouse, or the fan. Consider this your weekly reality check—neat, no chaser.

Also on deck:

• Booker’s honors a Beam legend with “Barry’s Batch”
• Amburana is back (sigh)
• Copper & Cask drops a 145.2-proof beast
• West Fork drops a 99% corn bomb
• The WHO goes full buzzkill on booze
• And The Last Drop drops five-figure bottles for folks who collect whiskey like NFTs

Toss in a few blind tastings, some barrel chatter, and the usual industry nonsense, and we’ve got ourselves a newsletter. Let’s get into it.

14 Years of Bourbon & Banter—and Still No Bullshit 🥃

Six weeks ago, I quietly celebrated Bourbon & Banter’s 14th anniversary.

Technically, it’s the anniversary of the day I hit “publish” on our first blog post: Welcome Fellow Bourbon Lovers. What started even earlier as a humble Facebook page tied to an after-work "Bourbon Club" has turned into something I never saw coming.

I kept the celebration quiet at the time—I was on a cruise with my wife and honestly wasn’t in the headspace to turn it into a big social media moment. But now, with a little distance (and a little bourbon), I want to take a minute to say thank you.

When I launched this site, there was no plan. No brand strategy. Just a desire to connect with other bourbon lovers. The fact that it’s grown into a thriving community—and a platform with real influence—is one hell of a surprise. And I wouldn’t trade a moment of it.

Along the way, I’ve made deep connections with industry folks, met some of the most passionate drinkers on the planet, and—most importantly—built lifelong friendships with the incredible contributors who’ve helped shape Bourbon & Banter’s voice.

That voice? It’s honest, bold, funny, and rooted in integrity. No fluff. No hype. No bullshit.

Just real people talking about real whiskey—and having a damn good time doing it.

To every contributor who’s lent their time, talent, and taste buds to this site over the years: I am endlessly grateful. You’ve made B&B what it is.

If you’ve ever laughed, learned, or raised a glass because of something they wrote, do me a favor—drop them a comment on your favorite post. Let ‘em know you’re out there.

Thanks for being part of the ride. Here’s to the next pour, the next post, and many more milestones together.

~ Pops

Barrel Market Update: New Fill Drops, Aged Stock Heats Up

Following up on our last note about falling barrel prices—things just got even more interesting. As of Q2 2025, new fill bulk bourbon barrels are nearing 10-year lows, with prices down a massive ~85% from two years ago. That spike? Blame oak shortages, grain inflation, and a clogged supply chain. Now that distilling capacity has caught up, the pendulum has swung hard in the buyer’s favor.

If you’re looking to lock in low COGS for the future, now’s the time to strike—especially with new fill available from producers in KY, TN, NC, VA, OH, NY, IL, IN, MI, and MN.

On the flip side, aged barrels are heating up.

• 4-year barrels are now going for what 2-year barrels cost just a few years back
• 8+ year barrels are getting snapped up quickly
• Prices for mature barrels are trending upward again, and availability won’t last long.

📆 DATES TO REMEMBER

I suck at remembering dates. As such, I've developed a solid habit of putting things on my schedule as soon as I get the information. Let my lack of memory help you keep track of key dates related to booze.

Community Calendar Reminder 🗓️

We launched a Community Calendar feature on the website about two months ago, where we post upcoming events, including monthly Group Therapy sessions, virtual tastings, barrel picks, and more. Check it out here, and bookmark it so you can check back regularly.

Blind Drinker's Tasting – 4/21 🥃👀

Our next Blind Drinker’s Club tasting (formerly known as BITB) is happening April 21, and a few spots are still open in this exclusive membership tier.

If you want in on one of the best ways to challenge your palate, discover underrated pours, and talk blind bourbon smack with fellow drinkers—you’ll need to act fast. Sign up here.

Because once the lineup’s locked, the only thing left to guess… is what’s in the glass.

Tequila 101 in the Blind Virtual Tasting 🇲🇽

Whether you've been drinking tequila for a while or are just getting into it, this class is the perfect way to boost your TequilaIQ and learn more about Mexico's most famous spirit. Join your fellow Bourbon & Banter community members as Steve Coomes leads us through an entertaining and informative virtual tasting on Monday, April 28th. Purchase your tickets today.

April's Group Therapy Session ⚕️

Join your fellow paid community members for our monthly group therapy session, on April 29th at 7:30 pm CT, where we unwind with drinks in hand and catch up on everything from new releases to personal accomplishments with a healthy dose of bourbon bullshit on the side. Zoom link will be sent via email and Discord before the session date.

Kentucky Bourbon Festival - Mark Your Calendars 🌽

Get ready to raise a glass at the 34th annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival, happening September 5-7, 2025, in Bardstown, KY—the Bourbon Capital of the World! Tickets go on sale on April 17, with exclusive early access for Bourbon Insiders on April 16. There will be six ticket options this year, including a brand-new Oris President's Club. VIP packages sold out in just 10 minutes last year, so mark your calendars and learn more about kybourbonfestival.com.

🥃 NEW RELEASES

Every day I receive multiple press releases announcing new "must try" products. In the past I've tried to post them to the website but there's just too many and it clogs up the site. Now I'm just going to add them into this newsletter so you can check them out all together. PS-Just because they're added here does not mean I'm recommending them. #DrinkCurious but choose wisely!

Penelope Bourbon expands its lineup with ready-to-pour Peach Old Fashioned

Penelope Bourbon is shaking up the ready-to-pour market with the launch of its first-ever bottled cocktail: the Penelope Peach Old Fashioned. This premium, handcrafted cocktail offers the perfect balance of convenience and quality, delivering a fresh take on a timeless classic – just in time for spring celebrations. MSRP of $29.99. Learn more.

🥃📋 Expect to see more of these RTD cocktail bottlings from other bourbon brands as the market continues to soften. I've spoken to a few distilleries that have shared they're rolling out multiple SKUs of RTDs to better cater to the younger demographics' drinking preferences. As bottle sales velocity and volume drop, it makes sense that they find other ways to move volume.

West Fork Whiskey Co. Drops Old Hamer 10-Year Bourbon

Distilled, aged, and bottled in Indiana, the new Old Hamer 10-Year Bourbon features a rare 99% corn, 1% malted barley mash bill—a nod to historic Hoosier whiskey traditions. Bottled at 100 proof and aged a full decade in new charred oak, it delivers sweet notes of bubble gum, caramel, vanilla, mint, and toasted oak.

This is the oldest Old Hamer release yet and goes for $84.99. Available now online and at select retailers.

Copper & Cask Goes Hazmat with 20-Year Cigar Blend at 145.2 Proof

Copper & Cask is celebrating its 10th Small Batch release with a 20-Year Canadian Hazmat Cigar Blend—and it’s coming in hot. Distilled in Alberta and finished in a combo of Armagnac and Tawny Port barrels, this 145.2 proof behemoth delivers notes of candied orange, berry, blueberry pie, and chocolate malt ball.

Only 1,800 bottles are being released, with an MSRP of $79.99—yes, you read that right—for a 20-year hazmat whiskey. Available this spring in 15 states and online at CopperandCaskSpirits.com.

This one’s got flavor, fire, and a finish that might outlive us all.

Nobody Asked for It… But Amburana Is Back (Again)

Look, I didn’t ask for it. You probably didn’t either. But Barrell Craft Spirits brought back their Amburana Cask Finish for a second round—so here we are. This stuff is polarizing, with tropical spice, cinnamon, and a whole lot of "what the hell am I drinking?" energy. But credit where it’s due: they used full 53-gallon Amburana barrels—not cubes, spirals, or science fair projects.

If you’re into bold, weird, or just curious what bourbon finished in Brazilian wood tastes like, you’ve got until the end of April to pre-order. Then it disappears again… until someone inevitably brings it back because it sold out anyway.

🥃📋 Not my daily pour—but hey, you do you.

The Last Drop 2025 Collection: Whiskey for Those with Deep Pockets and Strong Livers

Luxury spirits brand The Last Drop just unveiled their 2025 Collection featuring three ultra-rare, ultra-pricey, and ultra-aged whiskies:

🥃 Release No. 37: 27-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon (Buffalo Trace)

• Uncut & unfiltered at 121.8 proof
• One of Buffalo Trace’s oldest releases
• Limited to 508 bottles
• MSRP: $10,500

🥃 Release No. 38: 55-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch (Tomintoul Distillery)

• Sister cask to last year’s Release No. 36
• Bottled at 118.2 proof
• Just 319 bottles
• MSRP: $5,500

🥃 Release No. 39: 22-Year-Old Japanese Blended Malt Whisky

• 100% Japanese malt whiskies from 2000
• Aged in Mizunara oak
• Bottled at 118.2 proof
• Also 319 bottles
• MSRP: $5,500

According to The Last Drop, these bottles showcase "the best of blending and maturation across the world." According to your bank account, they showcase why you drink store picks and call it a day. Learn More

🥃📋 Look, I respect rare whiskey. I appreciate craft. I even get the appeal of the ultra-aged stuff that tastes more like antique wood and existential dread than caramel and spice. But $10,500 for a Buffalo Trace bourbon? I mean… was Elmer T. Lee personally whispering to the barrels?

The 55-year-old Scotch and the Mizunara-aged Japanese malt are both impressive feats, sure. But at $5,500 a pop, I’d like them to come with a handwritten apology from the distillery for how much of my retirement they just burned.

If you're a collector with deep pockets and a bunker full of unopened bottles, go nuts. But if you're just looking for a damn good pour? There are better ways to spend five grand. Like, I don't know... 100 bottles that you’ll actually open and enjoy.

Let’s keep it real—this isn't whiskey for drinking. It’s whiskey for flexing.

Booker’s “Barry’s Batch” Kicks Off 2025

The first Booker’s release of 2025 honors Barry Berish, former Beam Chairman & CEO, and close friend to Fred Noe. Barry worked at Beam for over 40 years and played a key role in shaping its legacy. This batch is a tribute to his memory and larger-than-life spirit.

• Age: 7 years, 2 months, 4 days
• Proof: 125.7
• SRP: $99.99
• Warehouse blend: 5 different locations, with the majority pulled from the 5th floors of Warehouses 3 and X.

Expect classic Booker’s character—warm vanilla, sweet oak, and a smooth, balanced finish that makes you want another pour. A worthy toast to a Beam legend.

OTHER INDUSTRY NEWS THAT YOU CAN USE

“No amount” of alcohol is safe? Bullshit.

The World Health Organization (WHO) made a big splash when it confidently stated “no level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health.” The news release went on to equate alcohol to asbestos, radiation, and tobacco in perhaps the biggest overreach in public health history.

The release correctly noted that the risks of developing certain types of cancer increase as more alcohol is consumed. However, the release also boldly stated, without evidence, that “any beverage containing alcohol, regardless of its price and quality, poses a risk of developing cancer.” It’s so bad that “risks start from the first drop.” Read more

🥃📋 I'm gonna have to pour myself a drink and think this one over. If it doesn't kill me then I'm gonna side with "Bullshit" as well.

EU can no longer label rye whisky ‘rye whisky’

Under the suddenly enforced EU agreement, it is non-compliant for European whisky producers to use the term ‘rye whisky’ in their labelling.

Call it bad timing; the rule took effect on 1 April, but it is no April Fool’s joke.

The 2004 agreement between the EU and Canada is now hindering European distilleries that have spent years producing whisky from rye, including Stauning and Thy in Denmark, Kyrö in Finland, Storck in Germany, and Ruotker’s in Austria.

On LinkedIn, Kyrö Distillery, which has been producing whisky from rye since 2014, described the enforcement of the trade deal as ‘outryegous’. Read More

🥃📋 Sneaky bastards. First they give us Crown Royal Apple and now this. I always knew there was evil lurking below the poliness up north.

Employees at Garrard County Distilling have been furloughed

A Kentucky distillery has been put on pause less than two years after filling its first barrel. Workers at Garrard County Distilling Company have been furloughed for at least two weeks, Lancaster Mayor Michael Gaffney confirmed Tuesday. Read More

🥃📋 This is rough news for all involved. I hate people losing their livelihood and having their dreams derailed. Let's hope they can find a solution to their current challenges and get back on their feet. Sadly I think we're going to see more and more of this happen over the next few years.

That’s a wrap for this week’s Proof of Life. Thanks for letting me hijack a few minutes of your inbox—even through the cold meds and hot toddies, it’s always a pleasure putting this together for folks who truly give a damn about good whiskey (and even better community).

Whether you’ve been here since the first pour or just joined last week, I’m glad you’re along for the ride. There’s more coming—more thoughts, more tastings, more bourbon bullshit to sort through—and I wouldn’t want to do it without you.

Talk soon.

—Pops

Chief Drinking Officer 🥃💼🧔🏻‍♂️